Processor

ABSTRACT

A processing apparatus that is connected with another processing apparatus via a network, receives a request for a processing from the other processing apparatus, executes the requested processing while not performing an originally intended process of the processing apparatus, and indicates that the processing apparatus is executing the requested processing, by causing an indicator to blink on and off.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a technology for using a processingapparatus on a network, and specifically to a technology for improvingconvenience in using an apparatus that is requested by another apparatuson the network to perform a process.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been a known technology of using a plurality of computers on anetwork to perform distributed processing.

The technology enables a plurality of computers to perform processes inparallel, enabling a large amount of processes to be performed at highspeeds even if each computer has low performance.

Also, there have been developed some home electric appliances that areprovided with information processing functions. Under thesecircumstances, there has been proposed a technology for connecting suchhome electric appliances to a network and using the processing functionsthereof. That is to say, there has been proposed a technology forachieving distributed processing computing on a home network. Forexample, a home electric appliance can complete a time-consuming processsuch as transcoding of image data by using processing functions of otherhome electric appliances.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The Problems the Invention is Going to Solve

Off course, however, in a home, a member of the family may want to use ahome electric appliance any time for its original purpose, or may powerit off to save on electricity. There may be some inconveniences underthese circumstances. For example, the home electric appliance cannot beused for its original purpose if it is performing some process for thesake of another apparatus. Also, if the home electric appliance ispowered off while it is performing some process, the hard disk may havea crash and an apparatus having requested it to perform the process mayhave to return the procedure back.

Also, it is predicted that in the future, a home electric appliance thatsupports multiple users will appear. Such a home electric appliance willbe a digital television, a hybrid recorder, or a game machine that canidentify a plurality of users and can display a message or a screen thatcorresponds to the user who is currently using the home electricappliance.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus that enables members of a family to easily recognize whetheror not they can use the apparatus for its original purpose or whether ornot they can power it off when the apparatus, which is connected to ahome network, is performing a process by request from another apparatuson the home network.

Means to Solve the Problems

The above-stated object is fulfilled by a processing apparatus connectedwith another processing apparatus via a network, comprising: a receivingunit operable to receive from said another processing apparatus arequest for processing; an execution unit operable to execute therequested processing while not performing an originally intended processthereof; and an indicating unit operable to indicate that the requestedprocessing is being executed.

Effects of the Invention

With the above-stated construction, the processing apparatus of thepresent invention is able to indicate that the processing apparatus isexecuting a processing requested by another processing apparatus on thenetwork. This enables the users to judge whether or not they can use theprocessing apparatus.

The above-described may further comprise a lighting device, wherein thereceiving unit further receives lighting information that includes ablinking interval, and the indicating unit, when the execution unitexecutes the requested processing, indicates that the requestedprocessing is being executed, by causing the lighting device to blink onand off at the blinking interval included in the lighting information.

The above-described processing apparatus may further comprise a lightingdevice, wherein the receiving unit further receives lighting informationthat includes a lighting color, and the indicating unit, when theexecution unit executes the requested processing, indicates that therequested processing is being executed, by causing the lighting deviceto light with the lighting color included in the lighting information.

With the above-stated constructions, the processing apparatus of thepresent invention causes the lighting device to blink on and off at acertain blinking interval or to light with a certain lighting color whenit is executing a processing requested by another processing apparatuson the network. This enables the users to judge whether or not they canuse the processing apparatus.

The above-described processing apparatus may further comprise a lightingdevice and a storage unit operable to store information that indicates acorrespondence between said another processing apparatus and lightinginformation that includes a blinking interval, wherein the receivingunit further receives request source information indicating said anotherprocessing apparatus as a request source, and the indicating unit, whenthe execution unit executes the requested distributed processing,indicates the request source of the distributed processing, by causingthe lighting device to blink on and off at the blinking interval thatcorresponds to said another processing apparatus according to thelighting information.

The above-described processing apparatus may further comprise a storageunit operable to store information that indicates a correspondencebetween said another processing apparatus and lighting information thatincludes a lighting color, wherein the receiving unit further receivesrequest source information indicating said another processing apparatusas a request source, and the indicating unit, when the execution unitexecutes the requested distributed processing, indicates the requestsource of the distributed processing, by causing the lighting device tolight with the lighting color included in the lighting information.

With the above-stated construction, when it is executing a processingrequested by another apparatus on the network, the processing apparatuscauses the lighting device to blink on and off at a blinking intervalcorresponding to the apparatus that requested the processing, or tolight with the lighting color corresponding to the apparatus thatrequested the processing. This enables the users to recognize whichapparatus requested the processing that the processing apparatus iscurrently executing, and judge whether or not they can use theprocessing apparatus.

In the above-described processing apparatus, the lighting informationstored in the storage unit may indicate one or more blinking intervalsthat respectively correspond to one or more users of said anotherprocessing apparatus, the request source information received by thereceiving unit may further include information that indicates a user whouses said another processing apparatus, and when the execution unitexecutes the requested distributed processing, the indicating unitindicates the request source of the distributed processing by causingthe lighting device to blink on and off at one of the one or moreblinking intervals that corresponds to the user according to theinformation stored in the storage unit.

With the above-stated construction, when it is executing a processingrequested by another apparatus on the network, the processing apparatuscauses the lighting device to blink on and off at a blinking intervalcorresponding to a person who requested the processing. This enables theusers to recognize who requested the processing that the processingapparatus is currently executing, and judge whether or not they can usethe processing apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows an example in which the processing apparatus of the presentinvention is performing a process.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of the hybridrecorder 1000, game machine 2000, and lighting information serverapparatus 4000.

FIG. 3 shows the construction and contents examples of request job data1510.

FIG. 4A shows an example of a screen for setting the color of theindicator in a requesting-side apparatus to indicate that the apparatusitself requested a process.

FIG. 4B shows the construction of the color data, and an example of theset color.

FIG. 5A shows an example of a screen for setting the blinking intervalof the indicator to indicate the user who requested the process.

FIG. 5B shows the construction of the blinking interval data, and anexample of the set blinking interval.

FIG. 6A shows an example of a screen for registering colors for eachapparatus all at once.

FIG. 6B shows the construction of the color data for each apparatus, andan example of the set colors.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the job requesting process performed bythe server apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process performed by the clientapparatus.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the color registration process performedby each apparatus.

Description of Characters 1000 hybrid recorder 1100, 2100, 4100 userinterface unit 1200 lighting information registration processing unit1300 lighting information storage unit 1400 control unit 1500 requestjob data generating unit 1510 request job data 1600, 2500, 4300transmission/reception unit 2000 game machine 2200 lighting control unit2300 requested job executing unit 2400 request job data analyzing unit2900 enlargement 3100 color registration screen 3110 color data 3200blinking interval setting screen 3210 blinking interval data 3310apparatus color data 3300 apparatus color registration screen 4000lighting information server apparatus 4200 lighting information storageunit 7000 personal computer 8000 digital television 9000 home network

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<Outline>

A processing apparatus of the present invention has a function, when itis not performing an originally intended process, to perform a processrequested from another apparatus on a same network, and to inform a userthat it is performing the requested process.

The present invention is characterized by enabling the user toimmediately recognize visually by the color of an indicator and by thespeed at which the indicator blinks on and off, which apparatusrequested to perform the process and what process the processingapparatus is performing.

With such a construction, the user can recognize which apparatusrequested the process, what process the processing apparatus isperforming and the like without going through the trouble of inputting acommand or the like. This prevents the user from carelessly stopping theprocess, and enables the user to stop the process intentionally.

The following describes a processing apparatus as an embodiment of thepresent invention.

In the present embodiment, it is presumed that a content is recorded inan internal HDD (Hard Disk Drive) of a hybrid recorder 1000, and thehybrid recorder 1000 outputs the content to DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)being another storage medium. It is also presumed that HDD and DVD aredifferent from each other in the method of compressing data to storetherein, and converting the content is a time-consuming process.

<Construction>

FIG. 1 shows an example in which the processing apparatus of the presentinvention is performing a process.

As shown in FIG. 1, a home network 9000 connects a digital television8000, a personal computer 7000, a hybrid recorder 1000, and a gamemachine 2000 to each other.

It is presumed here that a content recorded on HDD of the hybridrecorder 1000 is being output to DVD.

It is presumed here that contents conforming to the compression methodMPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group phase 2) are recorded on HDD, andthat contents conforming to the compression method MPEG4 (Moving PictureExperts Group phase 4) are recorded on DVD.

FIG. 1 shows that the hybrid recorder 1000 has requested the gamemachine 2000 to perform part of a process of converting the compressionmethod of the content, and the game machine 2000 is performing therequested process.

Since it is performing the content conversion process, which is arequested process and not the originally intended process, the gamemachine 2000 causes an indicator to light blue and blink on and off. Anenlargement 2900 shows the indicator of the game machine 2000.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of the hybridrecorder 1000, game machine 2000, and lighting information serverapparatus 4000.

The hybrid recorder 1000 is a requesting side, and the game machine 2000is a requested side. In other words, the hybrid recorder 1000 is aserver apparatus and the game machine 2000 is a client apparatus.Although the hybrid recorder 1000 is a server side in the presentexample, any apparatus on the network can be either a server side or aclient side depending on the situation.

The lighting information server apparatus 4000 manages the displaycolors of the lighted indicator such that the colors indicate differentapparatuses. It is presumed in the present embodiment that the personalcomputer 7000 functions as the lighting information server apparatus4000.

The hybrid recorder 1000 includes a user interface unit 1100, a lightinginformation registration processing unit 1200, a lighting informationstorage unit 1300, a control unit 1400, a request job data generatingunit 1500, and a transmission/reception unit 1600.

The user interface unit 1100 is composed of an operation panel, a remotecontroller, a display, an indicator or the like that are provided in thehybrid recorder 1000, and has functions for exchanging information withthe user, such as presenting information to the user and receiving aninstruction from the user.

In the present embodiment, the user interface unit 1100 displays ascreen for the registration of lighting information for each apparatus,and acquires settings of the user (see FIG. 4A and FIG. 5A).

The lighting information registration processing unit 1200 has afunction to store the lighting information, which is input by the uservia the user interface unit 1100, into the lighting information storageunit 1300.

The lighting information registration processing unit 1200 also has afunction to transmit the lighting information, which is input by theuser, to the lighting information server apparatus 4000 via thetransmission/reception unit 1600.

The lighting information storage unit 1300 has a function to store datareceived from the lighting information registration processing unit1200. More specifically, the lighting information storage unit 1300stores color data 3110 and blinking interval data 3210 that will beexplained later (see FIG. 4B and FIG. 5B).

The control unit 1400 has a function to control each function of thehybrid recorder 1000. The hybrid recorder 1000 has functions of a normalhybrid recorder, such as a recording function, reproduction function,dubbing function and the like. The hybrid recorder 1000 supports bothHDD and DVD. It should be noted here that such regular functions are notillustrated in the drawings.

The hybrid recorder 1000 has a function to convert a content recorded inthe HDD from MPEG2 to MPEG4 and store the converted content into theDVD. The hybrid recorder 1000 has a function to request the game machine2000, which is one of the home electric appliances connected to the homenetwork 9000, to perform part of the conversion process.

The control unit 1400 controls the functions unique to the presentinvention, as well as the regular functions. For example, one of thefunctions unique to the present invention is that when the hybridrecorder 1000 transmits a request for a process to another apparatus onthe network, it also transmits, to the same destination, informationthat notifies the user of the other apparatus that the request wastransmitted by the hybrid recorder 1000.

The request job data generating unit 1500 has a function to generaterequest job data for a job to be executed by the other apparatus, undercontrol of the control unit 1400.

The transmission/reception unit 1600 has a function to exchange datawith the game machine 2000 being a client apparatus.

The game machine 2000 includes a user interface unit 2100, a lightingcontrol unit 2200, a requested job executing unit 2300, a request jobdata analyzing unit 2400, and a transmission/reception unit 2500.

The user interface unit 2100 is composed of a controller, an operationpanel, an indicator or the like that are provided in the game machine2000, and has functions for exchanging information with the user, suchas presenting information to the user and receiving a game instructionfrom the user.

In the present embodiment, the indicator of the user interface unit 2100mainly indicates that the game machine 2000 is performing a process thatis not the originally intended process, where the originally intendedprocess is an execution of a game.

The lighting control unit 2200 has a function to control the lighting onand off of the indicator of the user interface unit 2100 and to controlthe color and lighting interval thereof. The requested job executingunit 2300 has a function to execute a job, namely a process requested byanother apparatus on the home network 9000.

The request job data analyzing unit 2400 has a function to dividerequest job data, which is received from another apparatus on the homenetwork 9000, into a job data portion that is related to the requestedjob and a lighting data portion, and request the requested job executingunit 2300 and the lighting control unit 2200 to perform the processes,respectively.

The request job data analyzing unit 2400 also has a function todetermine whether or not the apparatus is executing an originallyintended process. The request job data analyzing unit 2400 requests therequested job executing unit 2300 and the lighting control unit 2200 toperform respective processes while the apparatus is not executing theoriginally intended process.

The transmission/reception unit 2500 has a function to exchange datawith the hybrid recorder 1000 being a server apparatus.

The lighting information server apparatus 4000 includes a user interfaceunit 4100, a lighting information storage unit 4200, and atransmission/reception unit 4300.

The user interface unit 4100 is composed of a display, a keyboard, anindicator or the like provided in the personal computer 7000, and hasfunctions for exchanging information with the user, such as presentinginformation to the user and receiving an instruction from the user.

In the present embodiment, the main function of the user interface unit4100 is to display a screen for the registration of lighting informationfor each apparatus, and to acquire settings of the user (see FIG. 6A).

The lighting information storage unit 4200 has a function to store colordata for each apparatus received from the user interface unit 4100. Morespecifically, the lighting information storage unit 4200 storesapparatus color data 3310 which will be explained later (see FIG. 6B).

The transmission/reception unit 4300 has a function to exchange datawith the hybrid recorder 1000 being a server apparatus.

<Data>

The following describes the data that is mainly used in the processingapparatus, with reference to FIGS. 3-6. FIG. 3 shows the constructionand contents examples of request job data 1510.

The request job data 1510 is transmitted from the hybrid recorder 1000to the game machine 2000 when a job is requested, and is generated bythe request job data generating unit 1500. The request job data 1510 iscomposed of job data 1511 and lighting data 1512.

The job data 1511 is data of a job that is requested from the hybridrecorder 1000 to the game machine 2000. The job data 1511 includes, forexample, instruction sentences and a content that has been generatedconforming to MPEG2.

The lighting data 1512 is lighting information for the indicator of thegame machine, and the indicator is lighted based on the data.

The lighting data 1512 is composed of a color 1521 and a blinkinginterval 1522. The color 1521 is a color of the lighted indicator. Theblinking interval 1522 is an interval at which the indicator blinks onand off.

FIGS. 4A to 6B show examples of screens for setting informationregarding the lighting of the indicator, constructions of the setinformation, and examples of the set information.

In the present embodiment, it is presumed that the color of theindicator indicates an apparatus that requested the currently performedprocess, and the blinking speed of the indicator indicates a member ofthe family who requested the process. It is presumed here that therequester of the process can be set for each apparatus.

FIG. 4A shows an example of a screen for setting the color of theindicator in a requesting-side apparatus to indicate that the apparatusitself requested a process. FIG. 4B shows the construction of the colordata, and an example of the set color.

A color registration screen 3100 is displayed for each apparatus so thata different color can be specified for each apparatus for indicationthereof.

The example shows a registration of a color for the hybrid recorder1000. The check box 3101 for blue is currently checked. It should benoted here that the check box 3102 for green cannot be checked sincegreen has already been used, as the message 3103 “Used for PC (PersonalComputer)” indicates.

The color data 3110 indicates the color of the apparatus itself. In thepresent example, the color data 3110 is set to “Blue” in line with thesetting of the hybrid recorder on the color registration screen 3100.The color data 3110 is stored in the lighting information storage unit1300.

FIG. 5A shows an example of a screen for setting the blinking intervalof the indicator to indicate the user who requested the process. FIG. 5Bshows the construction of the blinking interval data, and an example ofthe set blinking interval.

A blinking interval setting screen 3200 is displayed for each apparatusso that a different blinking interval can be specified for eachapparatus for indication of the user using the apparatus.

The present example shows that a blinking interval is registered for“Ichiro” specified in the user name 3201, in the hybrid recorder 1000.The check box 3202 for “Slow” is being checked.

The blinking interval data 3210 is composed of a user name 3211 and ablinking interval 3212, and indicates a blinking interval for each user.In the present example, a user with a name “Papa” specified in the username 3211 is assigned with “Fast” as the blinking speed as specified inthe blinking interval 3212. This indicates that when the user with theuser name “Papa” is dubbing a content from HDD to DVD using the hybridrecorder 1000, the indicator of the game machine blinks at a “Fast”interval.

The blinking interval data 3210 is stored in the lighting informationstorage unit 1300 together with the color data 3110.

The color registration screen 3100 and the blinking interval settingscreen 3200 are displayed on the display of the hybrid recorder 1000 orthe screen of the digital television 8000.

It should be noted here that the registrations and settings may beperformed using buttons or the like if the target apparatus is notprovided with a display. Alternatively, a display of another apparatus,such as a personal computer, connected to the network may be used forthe registrations and settings.

FIG. 6A shows an example of a screen for registering colors for eachapparatus all at once. FIG. 6B shows the construction of the color datafor each apparatus, and an example of the set colors.

An apparatus color registration screen 3300 is displayed on the lightinginformation server apparatus 4000 and is used to specify colors of theindicator for each apparatus.

In the present example, a color indicating an apparatus 3301 “TV” isbeing registered. Here, the “TV” indicates the digital television 8000connected to the home network 9000.

The check box 3303 for color “red” is currently checked. It should benoted here that the check box for blue cannot be checked since blue hasalready been used, as the message 3302 “Used for Hybrid Recorder”indicates.

An apparatus color data 3310 is composed of an apparatus 3311 and acolor 3312. The apparatus color data 3310 shows colors indicating eachapparatus. In the present example, an apparatus “TV” specified in theapparatus 3311, namely the digital television, is assigned with color“Red” as specified in the color 3312. This indicates that, for example,when the game machine is executing a process of decoding video dataencoded by MPEG2, which is a process requested from the TV, theindicator is lighted with color “Red”.

The apparatus color data 3310 is stored in the lighting informationstorage unit 4200 of the lighting information server apparatus 4000.

The apparatus color registration screen 3300 is displayed on the displayof the lighting information server apparatus 4000. It should be notedhere that the registrations and settings may be performed using buttonsor the like if the lighting information server apparatus 4000 is notprovided with a display. Alternatively, a display of another apparatus,such as a digital television, connected to the network may be used forthe registrations and settings.

In the present embodiment, the colors of the apparatuses can beregistered from both each apparatus and the lighting information server.It is presumed however that only the latest registration is effective.

<Operation>

The following describes the operations of the hybrid recorder 1000 as aserver apparatus, the game machine 2000 as a client apparatus, and thepersonal computer 4000 as the lighting information server apparatus,with reference to FIGS. 7-9.

More specifically, the following three operations will be described. Thefirst operation is a process in which the hybrid recorder 1000 as aserver apparatus requests a job to the game machine 2000 as a clientapparatus. The second operation is a process performed by the gamemachine 2000 as a client apparatus that received a request. The thirdoperation is a process in which each apparatus registers colors.

-   <1. Job Requesting Process of Server Apparatus>

The process will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is aflowchart showing the job requesting process performed by the serverapparatus.

It is presumed here that a family member with user name “Ichiro” dubs acontent from HDD to DVD using the hybrid recorder 1000. The userspecifies his/her user name, and depresses a dubbing button on theremote controller. In the present embodiment, it is presumed that theusers can specify a user name by depressing a predetermined button onthe remote controller. Upon receiving the dubbing instruction from theuser, the user interface unit 1100 notifies the control unit 1400 of thedubbing instruction.

Upon receiving the notification of the dubbing instruction, the controlunit 1400 determines a process, among processes for transcoding fromMPEG2 to MPEG4, that is to be requested to another apparatus. That is tosay, the control unit 1400 determines a job to request to anotherapparatus. At the same time, the control unit 1400 determines, amongapparatuses connected to the home network 9000, an apparatus that is notusing the information processing function thereof, as an apparatus torequest the job to (step S10). In the present embodiment, it is presumedthat the control unit 1400 determines the game machine 2000 as theapparatus to which it requests the job.

The control unit 1400 sends to the request job data generating unit 1500the contents of a requested job and the information of the apparatusthat is requested to perform the job, and instructs the request job datagenerating unit 1500 to generate the request job data, namely data ofthe requested job.

Upon being instructed to generate the request job data, the request jobdata generating unit 1500 generates request job data 1510 from thereceived contents of the requested job and information of the apparatusthat is requested to perform the job (step S11).

The request job data generating unit 1500 reads lighting informationfrom the lighting information storage unit 1300 to generate lightingdata 1512 (step S12). More specifically, the request job data generatingunit 1500 reads the color data 3110 and blinking interval data 3210, andgenerates lighting data 1520 based on the color data 3110 and theblinking interval 3212 “slow” corresponding to the user name 3211“Ichiro” in the blinking interval data 3210.

The request job data generating unit 1500 generates request job data1510 from the generated job data 1511 and lighting data 1512 (step S13),and transmits the generated request job data 1510 to the game machine2000 which is the apparatus requested to perform the job, via thetransmission/reception unit 1600 (step S14).

-   <2. Process in Client Apparatus>

The process will be explained with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is aflowchart showing the process performed by the client apparatus.

The transmission/reception unit 2500 of the game machine 2000 receivesthe request job data 1510 (step S20), and sends the received request jobdata to the request job data analyzing unit 2400.

Upon receiving the request job data 1510, the request job data analyzingunit 2400 separates the request job data 1510 into the job data 1511 andthe lighting data 1512, and sends the job data 1511 to the requested jobexecuting unit 2300. The request job data analyzing unit 2400 sends thelighting information to the lighting control unit 2200, notifying it ofa lighting start (step S21).

Upon receiving the job data 1511, the requested job executing unit 2300performs the requested job (step S24).

Upon receiving the notification of the lighting start, the lightingcontrol unit 2200 instructs the user interface unit 2100 to light theindicator based on the lighting data 1512 (step S22). In the presentexample, the indicator of the game machine 2000 is lighted blue andblinks at a slow speed.

When the execution of the job ends (step S23), the requested jobexecuting unit 2300 notifies the lighting control unit 2200 of the endof the job.

Upon receiving the notification of the end of the job, the lightingcontrol unit 2200 instructs the user interface unit 2100 to stoplighting (step S25). In the present example, the indicator of the gamemachine 2000 stops lighting.

-   <3. Color Registration Process in Each Apparatus>

The process will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is aflowchart showing the color registration process performed by eachapparatus.

In this example, the hybrid recorder 1000 registers a color.

First, the user operates to display the color registration screen 3100for registration of colors. Upon receiving the operation for thedisplay, the user interface unit 1100 requests the latest apparatuscolor data 3310 to the lighting information registration processing unit1200.

Upon receiving the request for the latest apparatus color data 3310, thelighting information registration processing unit 1200 requests, via thetransmission/reception unit, the lighting information server apparatus4000 to send the apparatus color data 3310.

The lighting information server apparatus 4000 reads the apparatus colordata 3310 from the lighting information storage unit 4200, and sends theread data to the hybrid recorder 1000. The lighting informationregistration processing unit 1200 receives the apparatus color data 3310via the transmission/reception unit 1600 (step S30).

Upon receiving the apparatus color data 3310, the lighting informationregistration processing unit 1200 sends the latest apparatus color data3310 to the user interface unit 1100. The user interface unit 1100displays the color registration screen based on the received latestapparatus color data 3310, and receives an input from the user (stepS31).

Upon receiving the input from the user, the user interface unit 1100sends the acquired color to the lighting information registrationprocessing unit 1200. In the present example, the acquired color isblue.

Upon receiving the color, the lighting information registrationprocessing unit 1200 generates color data 3110, defining the receivedcolor as the color of the apparatus itself, and stores the generatedcolor data 3110 into the lighting information storage unit 1300 (stepS32).

The lighting information registration processing unit 1200 transmits thecolor and the identification information of the apparatus itself to thelighting information server apparatus 4000 (step S33).

Upon receiving the color and the identification information of thehybrid recorder 1000, the lighting information server apparatus 4000rewrites the color of the hybrid recorder 1000 in the apparatus colordata 3310 stored in the lighting information storage unit 4200.

<Supplementary Notes>

Up to now, an embodiment of the processing apparatus of the presentinvention has been described. However, the present invention is notlimited to the embodiment, but may be modified as follows, for example.

-   (1) In the above-described embodiment, the lighting information    server apparatus manages the lighting information for all    apparatuses on the network. However, not limited to this, each    apparatus may manage the color of the apparatus itself, and the user    may manage the colors of all the apparatuses.-   (2) In the above-described embodiment, the game machine 2000, a    client apparatus, is requested to perform part of the process of    converting the compression method of a content. However, the process    requested to other apparatuses as a distributed processing is not    limited to such a transcoding process. For example, image    processing, dubbing processing, or a process of performing a large    amount of calculations may be requested to other apparatuses as a    distributed processing.-   (3) In the above-described embodiment, the colors of the lighted    indicator are used to identify the apparatuses, and the blinking    intervals are used to identify the users. However, not limited to    this, the colors may be used, for example, to indicate the    importance levels of the processes. That is to say, the colors and    blinking intervals of lighting of the indicator may be used to    indicate varieties of information.

For example, when a client apparatus includes a plurality of calculatingapparatuses, the indicator may indicate the number of calculatingapparatuses that are used to perform a requested process. As oneexample, as the number of used calculating apparatuses increases, theindicator may blink at a faster speed.

Also, the indicator may be used to indicate whether or not the clientapparatus can be recovered when it is powered off.

-   (4) In the above-described embodiment, an indicator, which is    installed in an apparatus, is used to indicate the performing state    of the apparatus by blinking. However, not limited to this, an    indicator attached to the apparatus via a relay device, a cable, an    outlet or the like may be used instead.

Not limited to visual means, aural means, tactual means or the like maybe used. For example, different music tunes may sound or differentvibrations may be provided in response to respective requestingapparatuses.

In the above-described embodiment, a lighting apparatus is used toindicate information. However, a communication apparatus may be usedinstead. For example, a small crystal liquid display or the like may beused to provide information by characters, graphics, signs, colors orthe like.

-   (5) In the above-described embodiment, the indicator is composed of    one lighting apparatus (see FIG. 1). Not limited to this, however,    the indicator may be composed of a plurality of lighting    apparatuses. The lighting apparatuses may have the same size or    different sizes. Also, the lighting apparatuses may be arranged in a    variety of ways. For example, the lighting apparatuses may be    arranged in a straight line or a circle.

In other words, it is possible for the present invention to provide avariety of types of information by combining the colors and number ofthe lighting apparatuses. More specifically, the requesters may beassigned with different numbers of lighted lighting apparatuses,respectively, or the importance levels of the requested processes may beassigned with different numbers of lighted lighting apparatusesrespectively.

Further, the number of lighted lighting apparatuses may represent theprogress of the requested process. In this case, for example, therequested job executing unit of the client apparatus side manages theprogress of the process, and controls the number of lighted lightingapparatuses.

-   (6) In the above-described embodiment, the server apparatus    transmits the job data, together with the lighting information    attached thereto, to the client apparatus. However, the server    apparatus may transmit the job data, together with, for example, an    identifier of the server apparatus, to the client apparatus.

In this case, for example, the client apparatus stores a table thatshows the identifiers of the server apparatuses and pieces of lightinginformation, with indication of correspondences between them, and lightsthe indicator based on a piece of lighting information corresponding toan identifier of a server apparatus that requested the job, by referringto the table.

The table that shows the identifiers of the server apparatuses andpieces of lighting information may be generated when the apparatusesregister the information of the other apparatuses with the apparatusesthemselves. More specifically, each apparatus sends an identifier of theapparatus and lighting information of the apparatus, to each of theother apparatuses on the network. Upon receiving such information, eachapparatus generates a table that shows correspondence between theidentifiers of the server apparatuses and pieces of lightinginformation, based on the received information, and stores the generatedtable. With this construction, it is possible to update thecorrespondence table each time a new apparatus is registered with thenetwork, thus enabling the apparatuses on the network to always sharethe latest information.

-   (7) In the above-described embodiment, the indicator is lighted when    the apparatus is performing the requested job. However, the present    invention is not limited to this.

For example, the indicator may be lighted when a job is requested,immediately before a requested job starts to be performed, or when arequested job has been completed.

-   (8) In the above-described embodiment, different colors are assigned    to the apparatuses, and different blinking intervals are assigned to    the users. However, two or more apparatuses or two or more users may    share a same color or a same blinking interval.-   (9) In the above-described embodiment, the client apparatus is    requested to perform a process by one server apparatus. However, not    limited to this, the client apparatus may be requested to perform    processes by a plurality of server apparatuses.

In this case, the client apparatus may perform the processes requestedby the plurality of server apparatuses, one by one, or with themultitasking process.

When the client apparatus performs the requested processes with themultitasking process, the indicator is lighted based on pieces oflighting information sent from all the plurality of server apparatuses,in sequence. With this construction, the user can immediately recognizevisually which apparatus requested the process currently performed bythe apparatus.

-   (10) The processing apparatus of the present invention is applicable    to various distributed computing environments.

For example, the processing apparatus of the present invention isapplicable to a distributed computing environment in which a pluralityof apparatuses are connected to each other via a high-speed network suchas an optical fiber network so that the calculation resources andmemories of the other apparatuses can be used as if they are resourcesof the apparatus itself.

-   (11) A program for causing CPU to execute control processes to    achieve the functions of the processing apparatus of the    above-described embodiment (see FIG. 2) may be recorded onto a    recording medium and circulated or distributed via the recording    medium, or may be circulated or distributed via any communication    paths. Such a recording medium includes the IC card, optical disc,    flexible disk, ROM, flash memory and the like. The circulated or    distributed program is stored in a memory that can be read by the    CPU of the apparatus so that the program can be used in the    apparatus. The CPU executes the program and causes the apparatus to    achieve the functions of the processing apparatus of the    above-described embodiment.-   (12) Part or all of the functional blocks of the requested job    executing unit 2300, the request job data analyzing unit 2400, the    lighting control unit 2200 and the like of the client apparatus is    typically achieved as an LSI being an integrated circuit. Each of    the functional blocks may be achieved in one chip, or part or all of    the functional blocks may be achieved in one chip. Similarly, part    or all of the functional blocks of the lighting information    registration processing unit 1200, the lighting information storage    unit 1300, the control unit 1400, the request job data generating    unit 1500 of the server apparatus is achieved as separate LSI chips    or one LSI chip.

It should be noted here that although the term LSI is used here toindicate an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit may be called IC,system LSI, super LSI, ultra LSI or the like, depending on the level ofintegration.

Also, the integrated circuit is not limited to the LSI, but may beachieved by a dedicated circuit or a general purpose processor. It isalso possible to achieve the integrated circuit by using the FPGA (FieldProgrammable Gate Array) that can be re-programmed after the LSI ismanufactured, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure theconnection and settings of the circuit cells inside the LSI.

Furthermore, a technology for an integrated circuit that replaces theLSI may appear in the near future as the semiconductor technologyimproves or branches into another technologies. In that case, the newtechnology may be incorporated into the integration of the functionalblocks constituting the present invention as described above. Suchpossible technologies include biotechnology.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful in a system in which distributedprocessing is available, in particular in judging whether or not theuser can use a certain apparatus.

1. A processing apparatus connected with a second processing apparatusvia a network, the processing apparatus comprising: an indicator thatblinks a lighting element in different colors; a receiver that receivesrequest data from the second processing apparatus, the request dataincluding: (i) a request to execute a distributed process; (ii) data onwhich the requested distributed process is to be executed; and (iii)color information for identifying the second processing apparatus whichhas requested the distributed process; an executer that executes therequested distributed process; and a controller that controls theindicator to blink the lighting element in a specified color, based onthe color information received by the receiver, while the executerexecutes the requested distributed process.
 2. The processing apparatusof claim 1, wherein the requested distributed process received by thereceiver is a process for encoding image data.
 3. The processingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the requested distributed process receivedby the receiver is a process for converting image data encoded in apredetermined encoding format into image data encoded in a differentencoding format.
 4. The processing apparatus of claim 1 being a homeelectric appliance which performs an original purpose of the homeelectric appliance and also executes the requested distributed process.5. An integrated circuit for a processing apparatus that is connectedwith a second processing apparatus via a network, the processingapparatus including an indicator that blinks a lighting element indifferent colors, the integrated circuit comprising: a receiver thatreceives request data from the second processing apparatus, the requestdata including: (i) a request to execute a distributed process; (ii)data on which the requested distributed process is to be executed; and(iii) color information for identifying the second processing apparatuswhich has requested the distributed process; an executer that executesthe requested distributed process; and a controller that controls theindicator to blink the lighting element in a specified color, based onthe color information received by the receiver, while the executerexecutes the requested distributed process.
 6. A non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium having stored therein a computerprogram for causing a processing apparatus, which is connected with asecond processing apparatus via a network, the processing apparatusincluding an indicator that blinks a lighting element in differentcolors, to execute a requested distributed process, the computer programhaving instructions for causing a computer to perform a methodcomprising: receiving request data from the second processing apparatus,the request data including: (i) a request to execute the distributedprocess; (ii) data on which the requested distributed process is to beexecuted; and (iii) color information for identifying the secondprocessing apparatus which has requested the distributed process;executing the requested distributed process; and controlling theindicator to blink the lighting element in a specified color, based onthe received color information, while executing the requesteddistributed process.
 7. A processing system comprising a serverapparatus and a plurality of processing apparatuses that communicatewith the server apparatus, each processing apparatus including: anindicator that blinks a lighting element in different colors; a receiverthat receives request data from a different processing apparatus, therequest data including: (i) a request to execute a distributed process;(ii) data on which the requested distributed process is to be executed;and (iii) color information for identifying the different processingapparatus which has requested the distributed process; an executer thatexecutes the requested distributed process; a controller that controlsthe indicator to blink the lighting element in a specified color, basedon the color information received by the receiver, while the executerexecutes the requested distributed process; and a transmitter thattransmits, to the server apparatus, color information for identifyingitself as a particular processing apparatus, and the server apparatusincluding: a storage device that, when the server apparatus receivescolor information from the particular processing apparatus, stores thereceived color information that identifies the particular processingapparatus from which the color information was received.
 8. Theprocessing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the color information furtherincludes a blinking interval for identifying a user who requested thatthe distributed process be performed, and the controller furthercontrols the indicator to blink the lighting element according to theblinking interval.
 9. The processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecontroller further controls the indicator to indicate, while theprocessing apparatus is executing the distributed process, whether ornot the processing apparatus can recover if the processing apparatus ispowered off.
 10. The processing apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a plurality of calculators to execute the requesteddistributed process faster, wherein while the executer is executing therequested distributed process, the controller controls the indicator toindicate, using the lighting element, the number of the calculators thatare being used to perform the requested distributed process.
 11. Theprocessing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator includes aplurality of lighting elements, the level of importance of the requesteddistributed process is assigned a specific number of lighting elements,and the controller controls the indicator to indicate, using theplurality of lighting elements, the importance level of the requesteddistributed process.